Vinegar is a versatile household item that is not only excellent for making delicious dishes but also for cleaning a variety of objects and surfaces. It is a green, non-toxic, and multipurpose cleaning agent. Since it has acetic acid, vinegar cuts through grease, grime, and build-up making it a fantastic ingredient for DIY cleaning solutions.
However, like anything that seem too good to be true, vinegar has its limitations. Many people make the mistake of using vinegar in cleaning solutions to sanitise and
clean almost everything in the house according to the professional end of lease cleaning experts in Sunshine Coast.
Knowing on which surfaces and objects this versatile cleaner should not be used is essential to prevent unnecessary damage. Here are seven things you should never clean with vinegar as per professional cleaners.
Marble, Granite and Stone Surfaces
A solution of water, dishwashing liquid and white vinegar is excellent for sanitising a variety of surfaces. However, when the surface is made of marble, granite, sandstone, or any other with natural and porous stones, using cleaning solutions whether homemade or store-bought with vinegar should be avoided.
According to the professional end of lease cleaning experts in Sunshine Coast, the acidic nature of the ingredient damages the stone surfaces by making it rough and dull.
The best way to sanitise your stone floors, countertops, and other surfaces would be to use water and dishwashing liquid with a few drops of essential oil (optional). Since dishwashing liquid is generally pH neutral, it will not cause harm to the porous stones.
Aluminium Objects or Surfaces
Again due to the acidic nature of vinegar, it is not a suitable cleaner for surfaces and
objects made from aluminium. The acetic acid in the vinegar makes it corrosive for the metal, making it oxidise when used in any amount.
Thus if there are any pots, pans, utensils, tables, appliances, etc., made with aluminium, please don’t use a cleaning solution with vinegar to sanitise them. Gentle cleaning soap and water would suffice for most aluminium surfaces and items.
In case there are burnt bits, food stains, or other messes make a solution of hot water, baking soda, salt, and dishwashing liquid. Let the solution remain on the surface for at least 5-10 minutes before scrubbing away any blackness or residues.
Electronic Devices
Manufacturers of electrical devices have instructions for cleaning the products, and most of them instruct to use a soft microfiber cloth and safe cleaners explicitly made for them. By using vinegar on electrical devices, especially the ones with screens, you will cause more harm than good.
Vinegar is capable of eroding the protective coating on most devices, making them susceptible to scratches, swirls, and further damage. For example, using a solution of white vinegar and water to sanitise the steel cover of a refrigerator will work but not to clean the display or buttons.
Wooden Floors
Many people believe adding vinegar to the mopping solution for wooden floors clean them effectively, but the professional end of lease cleaning experts in Sunshine Coast believe the contrary.
According to experts, wooden floors may become dull and damaged if extensively and only cleaned with white vinegar (diluted or undiluted). Most manufacturers advise against using vinegar for cleaning wooden floors because it weakens the element and causes it to become susceptible to rot, scratches, and dull spots.
Unsealed or Old Grouts
Contrary to popular opinion, vinegar may be too intense for cleaning grouts that are unsealed, worn, or old. Since the acetic acid makes them brighter and appear cleaner, most people think that vinegar is an effective and safe cleaner for the lines.
However, professional
end of lease cleaners in Sunshine Coast don’t use this ingredient for grouts because it can lead to the alkaline substance react with the acid resulting in discolouration and weakening.
Grouts can be effectively cleaned with soap and water if not too dirty, but for heavily soiled one make a paste of baking soda, dishwashing liquid and water. Apply the paste and leave for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing with a firm-bristled brush and wiping with a microfiber cloth.
Waxed Furniture
For people who want to avoid making their shiny wooden furniture dull avoiding vinegar when preparing a cleaning solution would be wise. The acid in vinegar is strong that leads to the protective and glossy wax to erode, leaving the furniture with swirls, scratches, and dullness.
Any acidic cleaner should be avoided when sanitising furniture with polish. Thus better to invest in a cleaning product formulated for waxed and polished furniture.
Wrapping Up
There is no doubt that vinegar is a multipurpose cleaning agent that is an excellent alternative for toxic cleaners in markets. Even professional end of lease cleaning experts in Sunshine Coast use this versatile product for making eco-friendly cleaning solutions.
However, even this product has limitation and to clean effectively with it, knowing about the above mentioned seven things not to sanitise using it is crucial.
